Condenser structure



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CONDENSER STRUCTURE Filed March 16. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w06; s A J' s ,f x

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Patel-ted Dec. 11 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE E. RICE AND ROBERT C. DA COSTA, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA; SAID DA COSTA ASSIGNOR TO ATWATER KENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA; KATH- LEEN F. RICE ADMINISTRATRIX OF SAID HORACE E. RICE, DECEASED.

CONDENSER STRUCTURE.

Application tiled Karon 16, 1921. Serial No. 452,888.

Our invention relates to condenser structures, as separate condenser units and the method of making the same; and our invention relates further to the combination with an induction coil structure of a condenser structure or unit, particularly when the induction coil and condenser are utilizable for the electric ignition of combustible charges in internal combustion engines.

Our invention resides in the method and features of structure and combination hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of our invention, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, illustrating some of the various forms our invention may take, and in which Fi 1 is aplan view of condenser elements be ore rolling.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of a condenser after rolling.

Fi 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a modi ed form of condenser.

Fig.,4 is a fragmentary sectional view oi the same condenser.

Fig. 5 is partially a diagram and partially an elevational view of induction coil and condenser structures in an ignition system.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of an induction coil and condenser unit mounted thereon.

Fig. 7 is a view at right angles to Fig. 6,

partly in vertical section.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective View, partially in section, of an element of the condenser unit.

In accordance with our invention, a condenser unitis formed by housing in a closed container a condenser of any suitable form For ignition purposes, however, we

pre er a So-called rolled condenser comprisin ribbons of tin foil se arated by paper ro led to form a reasonably compact structure. i

35rk In Fig. 1 are shown the ribbons or strips of metal or tin foil a and b, separated by paper or other sheet insulating material c. l

To form electrical connection with the armature or foil strip a, a plurality of thin easily 60 flexed metal connectors or strips d, ,as of copper, lie against the armature a at suitably numerous points along its length, and extend outwardly at right angles thereto beyond the edge of the paper or dielectric c. Similar connectors e lie against the other foil strip or armature b. -When the armatures and dielectrlc are rolled up to form a condenser C, as lndicated in Fig. 2, the connectors d preferably come adjacent to each other, though preferably staggered as indicated. And the connectors e are also preferably similarly disposed.

While the foregoing is our preferred form of' rolled condenser, the form indicated in Flgs. 3 and 4 may be employed. In this instance the sheet of paper or strip of dielectric c lies between the foil strips or armatures a and b, but the armature a extends beyond the margin of the dielectric c on one side, while the armature or strip b extends beyond the other edge of the paper or dielectric c. When the foil strips and dielectric sheets are rolled up, as to form similar to that indicated in Fig. 2, the edges of the armatures a and b will be exposed on opposite sides of the roll, as indicated in Fig. 4, and the different turns or convolutions of each armature ma be brought together and compressed,or sol ered. so that in lieu of condenser terminals d and as in Figs. land 2, the entire extent of each armature will be directly connected to the terminal formed of the compressed edges of the armature.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, K is a housing member in the form of a receptacle into which the condenser C, Whether of rolled type or other type, is placed, as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8. When placed in position in the housing K, the connectors of one set, as e, communicating with one armature of the condenser C, are electrically connected to the metallic plate f, as by soldering or otherwise. In case the condenser be of the type indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, the compressed or united edges of one of the condenser armatures, as b, will be connected to the plate f. The plate f is secured by one or more rivets g to an inner wall at one end of the metal housing or casing K, a strip .71. of insulating material intervening between the plate f and the metal wall of the housing K, this insulating'. material also preferably extending, as indicated in Fig. 7, in contactwith the inner wall of the housing K and terminating between the condenser C and the outer Wall of the housing; and the other end of the insulating strip z extending over the opposite side of the condenser C. The rivets g extend through holes in t-he outer wall of the housing K, in which holes may be provided insulating bushings z'. Under the heads or outer ends of the rivets g is confined the metal terminal y', between whichand the housing K intervenes the insulating material 7c.

The connectors of the other set, as d, are bent into position to contact with the housing K, to which they may be soldered; or as indicated in Fig. 7 the free ends of the connectors d may extend to position to Contact with the closing cover or plate m, of sheet metal, as tinned iron or the like, having the side and end flanges n. fitting into the housing K. Or if the condenser be of the type indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, the united edges of the other armature a may be connected to or contact with the housing K or the cover plate fm.

l/Vith the parts thus in the position described, great pressure, as of the order of a ton, is applied to the cover or plate m, thereby compressing the condenser roll C. Vhile so held compressed, the plate m is soldered, welded or otherwise secured to the housing K. As indicated in Figs. 7 and 8, this attachment is effected by solder o, which effects a pressure-tight joint between the housing K and the plate m. After soldering or otherwise securing the plate m to the housing K, the pressure upon the plate m is removed, the condenser C, however, being held compressed, and for this purpose the arched or arcuate shape of the plate m, as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9, is of advantage in resisting the outward force exerted on its convex surface by the condenser C.

lVith the condenser so held compressed within the housing, the unit is subjected to impregnation, by placing in a bath of molten insulating wax or equivalent in a vacuum, the air being removed by air pump from within the housing K through the hole p. Then the air has been removed to suilicient degree, atmospheric or other pressure is exerted upon the bath, causing the wax to rush in through the hole p and impregnate the condenser C itself and also till the spaces around the same with molten wax, indicated at Q. Vith the wax still molten within the housing K, that is, while the temperature of the housing and its contents are still elevated, the hole p is sealed air-tight, as by soldering. Upon cooling the wax solidies and to some extent contracts, with the result that with the housing sealed as described, there is at ordinary temperatures a slight vacuum within the housing K.

A condenser unit so constructed accordingly has one terminal of the condenser at j, and the other terminal is the housing K itself, and accordingly connection to the other terminal or armature of the condenser may be effected, as b v binding screw r threaded into the housing K itself.

In Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, H is a housing, as of sheet metal, for an induction coil comprising, as usual, a magnetic core structure and primary and secondary windings. The primary winding is indicated at P, Fig. 5, and the high tension secondary at S. In the example illustrated, one terminal of the primary P connects with the binding post s carried by the cap A, of molded insulating material, forming a closure for one end of the casing H. The other terminal of the primary P and one terminal of the secondary S are connected to the binding post t, carried by the cap A; and the other end of the secondary S connects to the terminal socket u, in the cap A.

As shown in Figs. G and 7 the condenser unit terminal y' connects with one of the primary binding posts, as s. T he condenser unit itself is mounted upon the induction coil cas-l ing or housing H, and is held thereto by the spring strap 'v embracing the casing H and having spring hook ends w engaging in recesses in the bosses on opposite side walls of the housing K. Where the housing or casing H is cylindrical as indicated, the radius Ot' curvature of the plate m may correspond more or less closely with the curvature of the housing H to fit the same, as indicated in Fi .8.

nd in general,whatever the form or shape of the induction coil structure upon which the condenser unit is mounted, the condenser unit may be formed to conform to its supporting induction coil or housing where they engage or contact with each other.

As indicated in Fig. 5, the primary terminal t may connect through the ignition switch y with one terminal of the battery B, whose other terminal is grounded or connected to the mass or frame of the internal combustion or other apparatus at G. The binding post s may connect with one contact, as z, of an interrupter whose movable contact, as a1, is controlled or actuated by the engine driven cam b1, the Contact al being connected to ground G. By the structure shown, one terminal of the condenser, through the terminal y' and binding post s, is connected with one contact of the interrupter structure, while by conductor c1 the other terminal of the condenser is connected to the other contact of the interrupter. Accordingly, the condenser is as usual shunted across the interrupter, reducing the sparking thereat and increasing the operating characteristic of the high tension secondary S. As usual, the secondary S, as by flexible conductor (l1, connects with a rotor or distributor e1, rotating in synchronisni with the cam b1, and co-acting with stationary distributor contacts f1, with each of which is connected a spark plug g1, the spark plugs being disposed in ditl'erent c linders of the engine, as well understood in t e art.

It will be understood that where the casing H is of metal, and its metal base h1 is connected to the metallic mass or frame of the apparatus, that is, when the casing H is of metal and is rounded, the conductor c may be omitted 1f the housing K makes electrical contact with the housing or casing H. And it will be understood that where the contact al is permanently grounded to the framework of the engine, as indicated, the conductor c1 may be connected to the same engine framework or grounded.

While we have herein shown the induction coil as enclosed in a housing, it will be understood that our invention comprehends the mounting of a condenser unit upon an induction coil structure ofan character; and it will be further understoo that' our condenser unit may be utilized in other relations or for any other pur ose.

What we c aim is:

1. The method of roducing a condenser unit, which consists 1n placing a condenser within a housin closing the housing with a closure mem r, transmitting pressure through said closure member to said condenser to compress the'same, securing the closure member to the housing while said condenser is held compressed by said yclosure member, and thereafter removing air from said housing and introducing molten insulat` ing materia 2. The method of producing a condenser unit, which consists 1n placing a condenser Within a housin closing the housing with a closure mem r, transmitting pressure through said closure member to said condenser to compress the same, securing the closure member to the housing while said condenser is held compressed by said closurev member, thereafter removing air from said housing and introducing molten insulating material, and thereafter sealing said housing.

3. The method of roducing a condenser unit, which consists 1n placin a condenser within a housin closing theiousing with a closure mem r, transmitting pressure through said closure member to said condenser to compress the same, securing the closure member to the housing while said condenser is held compressed by said closure member, thereafter removing air from said housing and introducing molten insulating material, and thereafter sealing said housing while at elevated temperature.

4. The method of'producing` a condenser unit consistin of a condenser and an enclosing housing t erefor, which comprises placing within a housin an unimpregnated condenser structure, c osing the housing with a closure member, transmitting pressure through said-closure member to said condenser to compress the same, and thereafter unit, which comprises placing a condenser y within a housin closing the housing with,

a closure mem r, transmittingv pressure through said closure member to the condenser to compress the same, securing the closure member to the housing while said condenser is held compressed by said closure member, and thereafter introducing into said housing into the space therein surrounding said con-- denser heated fluid insulatlng material whichv congeals upon cooling.

6. The method of roducing a condenser unit, `which consists 1n placing a condenser within a housing, applying a closure member to the housing, thereafter introducing the closed housin with contained condenser into a bath of mo ten insulating material under sub-atmos heric pressure for removal of air from said ousing through an aperture therein, and thereafter increasing the pressure upon said bath to cause intro uction 4of said insulating material into said housing,

7 The method of roducing a condenser unit, which consists 1n placing a condenser within a housing, applying a closure member to the housing, thereafter introducing the closed housing with contained condenser into a bath of molten insulating material under sub-atmos heric pressure for removal of air from said iiousing through an aperture therein, thereafter increasin the pressure upon said bath to cause intro uction of said insulating material into said housing, and thereafter sealing said aperture.

8. A condenser unit comprising a housing, a condenser therein, and an arcuate closure member exerting pressure on said condenser and having marginal flanges extending into and lying along the walls of said housing.

9. A rolled condenser comprising a plurality of strips of conducting material and intervening dielectric, and a lurality of conducting connectors `spaced rom each other longitudinally of one of saidconducting strips disposed between said conducting strlp and a dielectric strip of the condenser roll and projecting beyond an end ofthe roll.

10. A rolled condenser comprising a plurality of conducting strips and intervening dielectric, a lurality of conducting connectors spaced rom each other longitudinally of one of said conducting strips in contact therewith and projecting beyond an end of the roll, the spacing of said connectors longiedges of said condenser, a closure plate secured and sealed to said housing thereby clamping terminal conductors at one end of said condenser between said condenser and said plate, and enclosing and holding said condenser compressed, and an integral mass of insulating material of uniform composition impregnating said condenser therewith and also iilling the spaces between said condenser and the housing Walls. i

l2. A condenser unit Comprising a conducting housing, a terminal connector electrically connected to said housing, a rolled condenser therein, conducting terminals extending beyond the opposite ends of said condenser, a closure member secured to said housing and in close engagement with said condenser thereby effecting electrical connection between one of said terminals and said housing, an insulating strip located between the opposite end of said condenserl and the conducting housing thereby insulating the corresponding terminal from the housing, a terminal connector insulated from the housing and connected with said terminal, and an integral mass of insulating material extending into said Condenser and filling the space around said condenser Within said housing.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto affixed our signatures this 14th day of March, 1921.

HORACE E. RICE. ROBERT C. DA COSTA. 

